While the MWC is not guaranteed an automatic Bowl Championship Series entrant every year, the likelihood is increasing the 2008 champion will finish high enough in the standings to qualify. But first, the league's three trio of ranked clubs have to take care of business on the road Saturday. ?.

No. 2 Alabama got to watch last week as three top-five teams ranked ahead of them were defeated. The break is over; the Crimson Tide have to defend their lofty perch at home against Mississippi, which earned giant-killer credentials last month when it toppled Florida.